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NOTES
In attendance from the Board of Supervisors was Barbara N.
Lyons, Chairman: E. Thomas Scarborough, Jr, Vice Chairman; and
Barbara Eisenhardt. From the Ways and Means Committee: Mark
Glassman and Ed Ebenbach. Staff in attendance: William Wightman,
Finance Officer; Richard John, Director of Operations; Stephen
White, Chief of Police and Stephanie Mason, Township Manager.
Absent: Cynthia Philo and Jeffrey Bennett
Mr. Glassman indicated that the purpose of tonight’s meeting was
to review the Capital items.
Chief White indicated that police evidence processing work
station was recently donated and Detective Frank Bochenek is
rehabbing it in hopes that it will work and they will not need
to purchase one for $2, 975.00.
Mr. Wightman indicated that we have brought the Capital Reserve
number of non-restricted close to $1 million. He also indicated
that we had spoken with the Township solicitor who indicated
that the residual balance in the Debt Service Fund could be used
to fund additional financed debt. Therefore any long term
capital improvement could be funded and the residual in the Debt
Service used to pay back. He did not recommend using it to pay
automobile leases though as that is short term debt. He also
indicated that mileage allocation could be transferred from the
Debt Service to other funds as needed as well.
In reviewing the worksheet for the capital items it was
suggested that $410,000 of a loan utilized for capital
improvements towards the roof replacement of the township
building, the cold storage building, the brine collector and
police storage area. In addition to the street light buy out.
Mr. Wightman indicated that the payback on the term loan would
be approximately $78,450 a year on a tax free loan.
In reviewing the worksheet prepared, Mr. Wightman indicated the
ending balances as of November 4, 2009, the 2010 changes to the
monies being removed and the in and out which then left us with
fund balance 2010 ending at $2,016,190.
For recap, Mr. Glassman indicated that there was a slight
surplus in the operating fund. We’re ending our unrestricted
balances in a million with restricted, $2 million. We have to
opportunity
to use the, we are going back to leasing police cars, which at
this point is economically practical versus out right purchase
and that does change from time to time he indicated.
The budget reflects the sale of land to PennDOT and those funds
have been accounted for. Also realized that capital fundraising
money can be used for park improvements. Parks proposing to
spend $251,330 from capital fundraising fund thereby leaving a
balance of $180,956 in this fund.
Mr. Wightman indicated that he does have an negative balance in
the Highway Fund of $79,341. Indicated that they are doing more
things and so there is a bit of a shortage, but it could be
taken from the off-site to balance that. State Liquid Fuels is
paying for road salaries. By reducing Capital Reserve by
$140,000 for the Foxcroft project we would adjust for the
deficit in the Highway Fund and therefore not take anything from
the Off-Site Fund and balance that out. This was everyone’s
consensus.
Mr. John indicated that he was under the assumption that the
budget allocated a full-time person in public works,
specifically for park maintenance, because at present we are
dividing one employee’s time between the Fire Marshall’s office
and the Parks Department. We have been doing this for the last
six months and he would like to see the full complement of 10
employees in the Public Works department and allowing that
fulltime person to move into the Fire Marshall’s capacity. There
was some concern on the part of the Board that this was short
notice for discussion on the topic and concern regarding the
Fire Marshall’s duties.
Chief White indicated that the County’s Fire Marshall’s office
could provide service to the Township. However, there would be a
cost associated .
Mrs. Eisenhardt indicated that we should discuss the potential
of charging for Fire Safety Inspections and although we were
hoping to discuss that further in 2010 perhaps this would be the
time to review that matter further.
Mr. John suggested that he doesn’t want to short change the
Parks. Mr. Scarborough suggested we continue to utilize someone
from the Road Department to help out in Parks as needed. Mr.
John indicated that he is utilizing Roads to balance Parks, but
the Roads is short changed.
Mr. Glassman indicated that this was a head count situation and
he suggested staff come back with further information and
discuss it at the November 10th Work Session as we prepare for
presentation of the full budget on the 17th.
Ms. Lyons inquired as to whether or not the Parks could use a
part-time vs. fulltime as the cost of benefits is significant.
Mrs. Eisenhardt also indicated that she would like further time
to review the cap X list and she also provided Ms. Philo’s
comments to the Board regarding elimination of the parking lot
addition for $60,000 and the potential purchase of the Herbert
property for open space at $80,000. She also indicated that Ms.
Philo would like to see the Board do RFPs for professional
services.
The Committee and the Board recommended information on the
personnel issue for Parks and the Fire Marshall’s office and
what services we are utilizing be provided prior to the meeting.
Ms. Lyons indicated as did Ms. Mason that it looks like the
Herbert property may not be a go as we have heard it has sold to
a private entity.
Therefore the next version of the budget would have the $140,000
for Foxcroft taken out, $80,000 for Herbert and also the $2,975.
for the evidence work station and additional information on
personnel allocation.
Being no further business the meeting adjourned around 7:30 PM
Respectfully submitted by,
Stephanie J. Mason
Secretary
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